Minister of Fire2.

NULL

Brought the Fiancee to my local Blaze King dealer to see the Princess Insert in person. Here's the memory dump and questions:

- You could see gasket sticking out between the door and the glass.
- Sticker price was $3191 w/ Black Door, blower, and standard surround.
- Install price (generally takes 4hrs) is $1240, including all the parts.
- He stated they use 5 1/2 smooth liner instead of 6in if chimney was more rectangle than square (can't recall the dimensions he speced), but insulated liners all the way for the Princess. Stated it was good I had semi-internal chimney (backside of chimeny goes to uninsulated garage).
- Dealer handled my fiancee's questions wonderfully:
1) Will it smell? "It should only smell if you are doing something wrong."
2) Is it safe with pets home? "It's a closed system, with the CAT stove can load it and leave it all day."
3) Is it safe he cleans the chimney himself <with sooteater>? "Sure. Shouldn't really need cleaning with a CAT stove and dry wood."
4) Can we still install the honking mantle? "sure."
- The blower was surprisingly quiet. Though we did not listen to any other units.
- The blower will need yearly cleaning w/ pet hair. Bearings are not sealed and can go over time.
- SS liner and stove should last me a lifetime.
- Dealer had a sign above the princess insert that advertised 20 hour burn times.
- I have to admit, it was the ugliest stove there.
- The owner of the store stated that he brings educated customers to the BK for those that want function and are engineer types. (Thank you hearth.com forum members!)
- He ball parked my chimney to be ~20 feet from pictures of my 1 story ranch I showed him.

Questions:
- Gasket sticking out from door to window looked unfinished. Is this normal?
- How is the pricing of unit and install? Can I expect significant drops if I purchase in the summer?
- What are your thoughts on the 5.5in "smooth" liner and draft?
- Would my 20ft chimney they is semi-insulated scare you with a low flue temp CAT stove?
- With the dealer's talk (and I appreciate his honesty) of the stove and SS liner being lifetime (I can handle regular maintenance of replacing gaskets and CATs), how much should I value a local dealer and perhaps pay more for his services w/ a dealer farther away for cheaper price? If I buy a stove somewhere else, I figure that has to piss off my local guy...heck he may not even install it then.

And some tidbits for the heck of it...

- I started collecting wood on 11/3/2012 and by my calculations 3+ cords of wood now. I aim to be at 7-8 shortly so I can get a year ahead on my stockpile of mainly norway maple with some oak mixed in.

- My Fiskars X27.. works well, but the metal was really soft at first. now after a few filings it seems to be holding an edge much better:

- My wood pile this morning... There's been a breach! (still working on my stacking-fu.)

Feeling the Heat2.

NULL

Brought the Fiancee to my local Blaze King dealer to see the Princess Insert in person. Here's the memory dump and questions:

- You could see gasket sticking out between the door and the glass.
- Sticker price was $3191 w/ Black Door, blower, and standard surround.
- Install price (generally takes 4hrs) is $1240, including all the parts.
- He stated they use 5 1/2 smooth liner instead of 6in if chimney was more rectangle than square (can't recall the dimensions he speced), but insulated liners all the way for the Princess. Stated it was good I had semi-internal chimney (backside of chimeny goes to uninsulated garage).
- Dealer handled my fiancee's questions wonderfully:
1) Will it smell? "It should only smell if you are doing something wrong."
2) Is it safe with pets home? "It's a closed system, with the CAT stove can load it and leave it all day."
3) Is it safe he cleans the chimney himself <with sooteater>? "Sure. Shouldn't really need cleaning with a CAT stove and dry wood."
4) Can we still install the honking mantle? "sure."
- The blower was surprisingly quiet. Though we did not listen to any other units.
- The blower will need yearly cleaning w/ pet hair. Bearings are not sealed and can go over time.
- SS liner and stove should last me a lifetime.
- Dealer had a sign above the princess insert that advertised 20 hour burn times.
- I have to admit, it was the ugliest stove there.
- The owner of the store stated that he brings educated customers to the BK for those that want function and are engineer types. (Thank you hearth.com forum members!)
- He ball parked my chimney to be ~20 feet from pictures of my 1 story ranch I showed him.

Questions:
- Gasket sticking out from door to window looked unfinished. Is this normal?
- How is the pricing of unit and install? Can I expect significant drops if I purchase in the summer?
- What are your thoughts on the 5.5in "smooth" liner and draft?
- Would my 20ft chimney they is semi-insulated scare you with a low flue temp CAT stove?
- With the dealer's talk (and I appreciate his honesty) of the stove and SS liner being lifetime (I can handle regular maintenance of replacing gaskets and CATs), how much should I value a local dealer and perhaps pay more for his services w/ a dealer farther away for cheaper price? If I buy a stove somewhere else, I figure that has to piss off my local guy...heck he may not even install it then.

And some tidbits for the heck of it...

- I started collecting wood on 11/3/2012 and by my calculations 3+ cords of wood now. I aim to be at 7-8 shortly so I can get a year ahead on my stockpile of mainly norway maple with some oak mixed in.

- My Fiskars X27.. works well, but the metal was really soft at first. now after a few filings it seems to be holding an edge much better:

- My wood pile this morning... There's been a breach! (still working on my stacking-fu.)

- OK, I feel better now:

Click to expand...

Yes gasket sticking out is normal. You can try to push it in a little. I just got my princess insert for 2333 for the unit, 485 for the gold door, 189 plus 80 for the surround with gold trim. They charged 575 for the install which was a waste of money because I could have done it by myself. The princess calls for a 6 inch liner so I don't know why he is recommending a 5.5??? Your chimney will be fine. I would get it cheaper and install yourself, but that is just me. Good luck!

Minister of Fire2.

NULL

Thanks for the pricing stats claybe. I guess my dealer isn't too far off on the stove itself. I wonder if the price drops significantly in the off-season? The liner install may be a factor of local labor rates.

BK says there should be about a $50 price difference in east vs. west coast as they have fixed their east coast distribution problem. I could probably do most of the install myself w/ a one story house, but grinding away at my fireplace damper is not something I'm up for. I also would like a professional look over things.

They only will install the 5.5in smooth liner if my existing masonry chimney is too narrow, otherwise they rock the 6in as normal. I hope my draft will be ok

Guest2.

NULL

Gasket is normal, mine is same way as is several others I have looked at.

Install cost is a smoking deal if that is including all the parts. I paid $1000 just in labor for mine to get installed. Took two guys 4 or 5 hours, but they worked quick. Would have took me a whole day just in measuring to make sure I put the hole in the right place!

I've never cleaned my blower. I had it apart a few weeks ago and it was a bit dusty but not overly concerning. Been running for 3 years now.
Dog gets hair EVERYWHERE but with the stove in the corner doesn't really get hair there for some reason.

Feeling the Heat2.

NULL

You forgot the door. Mine was $489 for the gold door up grade. I think the regular door is $289. So all in all it sounds like you are where you should be. Get them to give you the breakdown for everything.

You forgot the door. Mine was $489 for the gold door up grade. I think the regular door is $289. So all in all it sounds like you are where you should be. Get them to give you the breakdown for everything.

Minister of Fire2.

NULL

I wouldnt skip the cleaning, first year Id check after a cord or so to make sure everything looks ok, after that Id clean it once a year.

Click to expand...

This is very good advice, considering you just started c/s/s your wood last November.
Also, nice to see you have it in mind to stockpile for next year too. If you have the room, do another year.
You'll be glad you did.
Everyone who comes on here that follows that advice returns with an appreciation of dry wood.